SourceForge Blocks Syria, Sudan, Iran, N. Korea & Cuba

Post by kierank » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 12:02 AM UTC

ftghyujkjmhnbg wrote: post #7

stilist wrote: post #5

It’s hard to say SourceForge is in the wrong, given they’re subject to US law. On the other hand, I can’t say they’re in the right, because it does clearly violate the principles of open source/free software. Such situations are unfortunate, but the best solution seems to be ‘hope the law doesn’t come for you’. Not a long-term option.

You could argue then that they are in breach of the GPL on stuff they do use themselves. You can hardly take GPL source, modify it and refuse to distribute it to certain groups - wether this is your choice or a rule imposed by your country

Post by jordanb » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 12:25 AM UTC

ftghyujkjmhnbg wrote: post #7

stilist wrote: post #5

It’s hard to say SourceForge is in the wrong, given they’re subject to US law. On the other hand, I can’t say they’re in the right, because it does clearly violate the principles of open source/free software. Such situations are unfortunate, but the best solution seems to be ‘hope the law doesn’t come for you’. Not a long-term option.

You could argue then that they are in breach of the GPL on stuff they do use themselves. You can hardly take GPL source, modify it and refuse to distribute it to certain groups - wether this is your choice or a rule imposed by your country

Post by Scriptor » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 12:58 AM UTC

grandalf wrote: post #9

This sounds like SourceForge trying very hard to be relevant. The policy makes no sense whatsoever.

Post by 3GFalcon » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 1:21 AM UTC

pmorici wrote: post #8

viraptor wrote: post #4

Isn't it ironic? They block the page to a specific group of people based on "5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups". They also potentially cut off the access for people who have their main project site at sf.net - which leaves everyone using the software without updates from a trusted/original source in case of security issues.

Not really because a software license agreement can't supersede the laws of the country in which it is executed. Also the license only stipulates that you make the source available to people you distribute the compiled binary to so if they block the whole site it's hard to argue they are breaking the letter of the agreement.

Post by ruslan » Mon, Jan 25, 2010, 2:06 AM UTC

3GFalcon wrote: post #3

And why it is ok for Facebook to launch a Parisian version and to Twitter to postpone its maintenance few days when there was unrest in Iran? Iranians revolting against their government where not terrorists? but when they use Open Source they are terrorist!